On 16 September 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the preparation of a new European Emergency Response Framework to enable the EU to respond to exceptional situations involving mass movements of people at the EU’s external borders. The announcement was made in her annual State of the Union address, which also set out priorities concerning the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, border management and returns.

In his State of the Union, President Jean-Claude Juncker presented proposals to ensure full EU solidarity on migration and better protection of Europe's external borders. The Commission is proposing to reinforce the European Border and Coast Guard and the EU's Agency for Asylum and is proposing a targeted review of the Return Directive.

Today, President Jean-Claude Juncker presented next steps towards a stronger, more effective and fairer EU migration and asylum policy.